1.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
2.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Gandou Fumu Decoction in Treating Hepatolenticular Degeneration with Liver Fibrosis of Liver-kidney Deficiency and Phlegm-blood Stasis Syndrome
Pingping YANG ; Meixia WANG ; Changchang CAO ; Zhuang TAO ; Jiang DU ; Yun XU ; Wenming YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):182-191
ObjectiveThis paper aims to evaluate the intervention effect of Gandou Fumu Decoction (GDFMD) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration with liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, thereby providing evidence-based medical evidence for the treatment of Wilson's disease (WD)-related liver fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine through clinical efficacy analysis. MethodsA total of 70 patients with WD-related liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Anhui Provincial Hospital of TCM from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2024. Participants were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 35 cases in each group. The control group received conventional copper chelation therapy with sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS). On this basis, the observation group was additionally administered GDFMD orally. Each treatment course lasted eight days, for a total of four treatment courses. Efficacy evaluations were performed before treatment and after the second and fourth treatment courses, respectively. The clinical efficacy and safety of GDFMD in the treatment of WD-related liver fibrosis were assessed by comparing the changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM), liver serological markers [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), type Ⅳ collagen (C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN), N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen (PⅢNP), and hyaluronic acid (HA)], fibrosis index based on 4 factors (FIB-4), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), unified Wilson's disease rating scale part Ⅱ (UWDRS-Ⅱ), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, 24-hour urinary copper, and safety indicators between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsCompared with those before treatment, LSM levels decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of LSM levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of LSM levels in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the levels of HA, LN, PⅢNP, and C-Ⅳ decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the C-Ⅳ levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the levels of HA, LN, and PⅢNP were more obvious (P<0.05). After four treatment courses in the observation group, the levels of HA, LN, PⅢNP, and C-Ⅳ were improved more significantly (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, ALT and AST levels decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of ALT and AST levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of ALT and AST levels in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, APRI score and FIB-4 index level decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those in control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of APRI score and FIB-4 index level in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the APRI score in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05), with no statistically significant improvement in the FIB-4 index difference. Compared with those before treatment, the levels of TCM syndrome scores decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with that of the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the level of TCM syndrome scores in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of the level of TCM syndrome scores in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in both groups after two treatment courses were not improved obviously, and the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in both groups decreased after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those of the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in the observation group after four treatment courses was more obvious (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the 24-h urine copper levels were significantly higher in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group after treatment, the 24-h urine copper levels in the observation group were significantly higher after two and four treatment courses (P<0.01). After two treatment courses, the 24-h urine copper level in the observation group showed a gradual decreasing trend, although it was higher than that before treatment. After four treatment courses, the control group had an improvement rate of 91.43%, an effective rate of 34.29%, and an apparent rate of 2.86%. The observation group had an improvement rate of 94.29%, an effective rate of 71.43%, and an apparent rate of 8.57%. The efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion① The efficacy of GDFMD combined with DMPS therapy in patients with WD-related liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome is significantly better than that of single DMPS therapy, and the advantages of the combined therapy are more obvious with the prolongation of the treatment cycle. ② GDFMD combined with the DMPS therapy program in the long-term application exhibits no obvious adverse reactions with good safety, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.
4.Clinical Efficacy of Gandou Fumu Decoction in Treating Hepatolenticular Degeneration with Liver Fibrosis of Liver-kidney Deficiency and Phlegm-blood Stasis Syndrome
Pingping YANG ; Meixia WANG ; Changchang CAO ; Zhuang TAO ; Jiang DU ; Yun XU ; Wenming YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):182-191
ObjectiveThis paper aims to evaluate the intervention effect of Gandou Fumu Decoction (GDFMD) in treating hepatolenticular degeneration with liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, thereby providing evidence-based medical evidence for the treatment of Wilson's disease (WD)-related liver fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine through clinical efficacy analysis. MethodsA total of 70 patients with WD-related liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Anhui Provincial Hospital of TCM from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2024. Participants were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 35 cases in each group. The control group received conventional copper chelation therapy with sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS). On this basis, the observation group was additionally administered GDFMD orally. Each treatment course lasted eight days, for a total of four treatment courses. Efficacy evaluations were performed before treatment and after the second and fourth treatment courses, respectively. The clinical efficacy and safety of GDFMD in the treatment of WD-related liver fibrosis were assessed by comparing the changes in liver stiffness measurement (LSM), liver serological markers [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), type Ⅳ collagen (C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN), N-terminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen (PⅢNP), and hyaluronic acid (HA)], fibrosis index based on 4 factors (FIB-4), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), unified Wilson's disease rating scale part Ⅱ (UWDRS-Ⅱ), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, 24-hour urinary copper, and safety indicators between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultsCompared with those before treatment, LSM levels decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of LSM levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of LSM levels in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the levels of HA, LN, PⅢNP, and C-Ⅳ decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the C-Ⅳ levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the levels of HA, LN, and PⅢNP were more obvious (P<0.05). After four treatment courses in the observation group, the levels of HA, LN, PⅢNP, and C-Ⅳ were improved more significantly (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, ALT and AST levels decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of ALT and AST levels in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of ALT and AST levels in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, APRI score and FIB-4 index level decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those in control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of APRI score and FIB-4 index level in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the APRI score in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05), with no statistically significant improvement in the FIB-4 index difference. Compared with those before treatment, the levels of TCM syndrome scores decreased in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with that of the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the level of TCM syndrome scores in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of the level of TCM syndrome scores in the observation group was more obvious after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in both groups after two treatment courses were not improved obviously, and the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in both groups decreased after four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those of the control group after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement of the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in the observation group after two treatment courses, and the improvement of the UWDRS-Ⅱ scores in the observation group after four treatment courses was more obvious (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the 24-h urine copper levels were significantly higher in both groups after two and four treatment courses (P<0.05). Compared with those in the control group after treatment, the 24-h urine copper levels in the observation group were significantly higher after two and four treatment courses (P<0.01). After two treatment courses, the 24-h urine copper level in the observation group showed a gradual decreasing trend, although it was higher than that before treatment. After four treatment courses, the control group had an improvement rate of 91.43%, an effective rate of 34.29%, and an apparent rate of 2.86%. The observation group had an improvement rate of 94.29%, an effective rate of 71.43%, and an apparent rate of 8.57%. The efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion① The efficacy of GDFMD combined with DMPS therapy in patients with WD-related liver fibrosis of liver-kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome is significantly better than that of single DMPS therapy, and the advantages of the combined therapy are more obvious with the prolongation of the treatment cycle. ② GDFMD combined with the DMPS therapy program in the long-term application exhibits no obvious adverse reactions with good safety, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.
5.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and syndrome differentiation-based treatment of Wilson disease
Wenjie HAO ; Wenming YANG ; Ting CHENG ; Hailin JIANG ; Han WANG ; Meixia WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):522-528
Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, and decoppering therapy and symptomatic treatment are the main Western medicine therapies for WD. This article systematically reviews the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of WD in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and points out that abnormal natural endowment is the core etiology and pathogenesis of WD, with internal accumulation of copper toxicity as the manifestation, liver/spleen/kidney dysfunction as the root cause, and intermingled “toxin, stasis, phlegm, and deficiency” as the key pathogenesis. Literature research and clinical observation are conducted to summarize the common TCM syndromes of WD, including stagnation of liver Qi, internal retention of damp-heat, phlegm-stasis-heat accumulation syndrome, liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, spleen-kidney Yang deficiency, and syndrome of deficiency damage and phlegm stasis. This article proposes the corresponding therapies and representative prescriptions for each syndrome and discusses the advantages of treatment by stage and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. This article aims to provide a systematic reference for the syndrome differentiation-based treatment of WD in clinical practice of TCM, thereby giving full play to the advantages of TCM in the treatment of this disease.
6.Role of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in progesterone regulating IL-8 expression in decidual stromal cells
Ziwei ZHAO ; Na LI ; Meixia YANG ; Xiaoling GONG ; Zhaojin LUAN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1383-1387
Objective:To explore the mechanism of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway in progesterone regulating expression of IL-8 in decidual stromal cells(DSCs).Methods:Human DSCs on early pregnancy were isolated and cultured in vitro.The cells were treated with 0.01 μmol/L,0.1 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L progesterone,respectively.Expressions of IL-8,TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were detected by Western blot.TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 were further treated,and expression of IL-8 in progesteron+inhibitor group,progesterone group and control group was detected by Western blot.Results:With the increase of pro-gesterone concentration,expression of IL-8 in DSCs decreased gradually.Expressions of DSCs IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in 0.01 μmol/L progesterone group were lower than those in control group(P=0.035 8,P=0.019 4 and P=0.047 1).Expressions of IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in DSCs in 0.1 μmol/L progesterone group were significantly lower than those in control group(P=0.003 5,P=0.004 0 and P=0.009 9).Expressions of IL-8,TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in DSCs in 1 μmol/L progesterone group were significantly lower than those in control group(P=0.003 3,P=0.001 6 and P=0.005 0).Expression of IL-8 in progesterone+TAK-242 group was signifi-cantly lower than that in progesterone group(P=0.009 1),and expression of IL-8 in progesterone+U0126 group was significantly lower than that in progesterone group(P=0.004).Conclusion:TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in the physiological process of progesterone regulating expression of IL-8 in DSCs,and progesterone reduces IL-8 expression by inhibiting expression of TLR4 and phosphorylation activation of ERK1/2.
7.Improved ResNet18 lightweight deep learning models for automatically detecting gouty arthritis lesions based on ultrasonogram of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
Lishan XIAO ; Yizhe ZHAO ; Yuchen LI ; Mengmeng YAN ; Meixia DU ; Cheng ZHAO ; Manhua LIU ; Chunping NING
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):783-787
Objective To explore the value of improved ResNet18 lightweight deep learning(DL)models for automatically detecting gouty arthritis(GA)based on ultrasonogram of the first metatarsophalangeal joint(MTP1).Methods A total of 2 401 ultrasonograms obtained from 260 patients with suspected gout who underwent MTP1 ultrasound examination were included and divided into training set(1 910 ultrasonograms from 209 cases)and test set(491 ultrasonograms from 51 cases)at the ratio of 4∶1.GA lesions on ultrasonograms were manually labeled.After preprocessing,ResNet18 lightweight network was used to construct DL models for identifying the ultrasonogram category was normal or abnormal(with any manifestation of GA).Five-fold cross-validation method was adopted to evaluate the efficacy of the DL models constructed with 2,3,4 or 6 residual blocks,i.e.model 1,2,3 and 4,respectively,and the computational cost and the amount of parameters of each model were recorded.The efficacy of the models were verified using test set,and the best DL model was screened.Results The computational cost of model 1,2,3 and 4 was 7 558.27,2 963.73,4 012.33 and 6 093.39 M,respectively,while the amount of parameters was 4.61,4.91,4.91 and 5.28 M,respectively.Model 2 had the least computational cost with parameters only slightly more than model 1.In test set,no significant difference of accuracy nor the area under the curve was found among 4 models(all P>0.05).The sensitivity of model 2 was higher than that of model 3,while its specificity was lower only than that of model 3(both P<0.05),hence model 2 was the best DL model.Conclusion Improved ResNet18 lightweight DL models could be used for automatically detecting GA based on ultrasonogram of MTP1,among which model 2 was the best one.
8.Follicular thyroid imaging reporting and data system for differentiating benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions
Yuchen LI ; Lishan XIAO ; Mengmeng YAN ; Meixia DU ; Cheng ZHAO ; Chunping NING
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):250-253
Objective To observe the value of follicular thyroid imaging reporting and data system(F-TIRADS)for differentiating benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions.Methods Totally 502 patients with follicular thyroid lesions were retrospectively enrolled,including 104 patients with single malignant lesion(malignant group,containing 77 follicular thyroid carcinomas[FTC]and 27 follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinomas[FVPTC])and 398 patients with 416 benign lesions(benign group,containing 197 follicular thyroid adenomas[FTA]and 219 thyroid adenomatous hyperplasia).Ultrasonic features of lesions were recorded,and F-TIRADS scores were assigned by 1 junior and 1 senior ultrasound physicians.Taken histopathology results as gold standard,receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy for differentiating benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions using F-TIRADS.Results Significant differences of composition,internal echo,boundary,calcification and trabecular structure of lesions were found between groups(all P<0.001).Taken F-TIRADS score≥ 7 as the optimal cut-off value,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value for differentiating benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions by the junior physician was 76.92%,77.40%,77.31%,93.06%and 45.98%,while by the senior physician was 78.84%,81.25%,80.76%,93.89%and 51.25%,respectively.The efficacy of the latter was higher than of the former(AUC was 0.827 and 0.859,respectively,P<0.05).Conclusion F-TIRADS could effectively identifying benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions.
9.The value of dual-energy CT Bone Marrow Edema in quantitative evaluation of rib fracture evolution timing
Fei YANG ; Yongjie YAO ; Jie LI ; Fan LI ; Meixia YANG ; Wenxin WEI
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;40(2):188-193
Objective To explore the value of dual-energy CT Bone Marrow Edema in quantitatively evaluating the timing of rib fracture evolution.Methods Sixty patients with thoracic trauma were scanned by dual-energy CT.Using CT Bone Marrow Edema technique,bone marrow CT values were standardized and quantified in both the Bone Marrow Edema area at the rib fracture site and in normal areas 1 cm on both sides of the fracture.The increments of standardized CT values for Bone Marrow Edema and VNCa were obtained for three stages of healing.The numerical variables were statistically described,and both the standardized CT value increments and VNCa standardized CT value increments were compared between the three stages and between each pair of stages.Diagnostic efficacy for stages with significant differences was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),and Cut-offvalues were calculated.Results There were significant differences in standardized CT value increments and VNCa standardized CT value increments across the three stages of Bone Marrow Edema(H=10.788,p=0.005;F=115.787,p=0.000).The standardized CT value increment of Bone Marrow Edema showed significant differences between the cartilaginous callus stage(fibrous callus stage)and the bony callus-remodeling stage(H=54.958,p=0.003),while the other pairwise comparisons showed no statistical significance(H=-25.603,p=0.183;H=29.354,p=0.113,respectively).However,the VNCa standardized CT value increments showed statistical significance across all three pairwise comparisons(all p=0.000).The ROC curve for differentiating the cartilaginous callus stage(fibrous callus stage)from the bony callus-remodeling stage using Bone Marrow Edema standardized CT value increment had an AUC of 0.652,with a Cut-offvalue of 81.575 Hu.The ROC curve for distinguishing the hematoma inflammation stage from the cartilaginous callus stage(fibrous callus stage)using VNCa standardized CT value increment had an AUC of 0.668,with a Cut-offvalue of 55.700 Hu.The ROC curve for differentiating the cartilaginous callus stage(fibrous callus stage)from the bony callus-remodeling stage using VNCa standardized CT value increment had an AUC of 0.905,with a Cut-offvalue of 37.625 Hu.Conclusion Dual-energy CT Bone Marrow Edema can quantitatively evaluate the timing of rib fracture evolution,and the differences in standardized CT value increments at different stages can provide a theoretical basis for forensic identification of fractures at different time periods.The Cut-offvalues of standardized CT value increments can,to some extent,predict the time stage of a fracture,providing quantitative evidence for forensic experts in the identification of rib fractures.
10.Improved ResNet18 lightweight deep learning models for automatically detecting gouty arthritis lesions based on ultrasonogram of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
Lishan XIAO ; Yizhe ZHAO ; Yuchen LI ; Mengmeng YAN ; Meixia DU ; Cheng ZHAO ; Manhua LIU ; Chunping NING
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):783-787
Objective To explore the value of improved ResNet18 lightweight deep learning(DL)models for automatically detecting gouty arthritis(GA)based on ultrasonogram of the first metatarsophalangeal joint(MTP1).Methods A total of 2 401 ultrasonograms obtained from 260 patients with suspected gout who underwent MTP1 ultrasound examination were included and divided into training set(1 910 ultrasonograms from 209 cases)and test set(491 ultrasonograms from 51 cases)at the ratio of 4∶1.GA lesions on ultrasonograms were manually labeled.After preprocessing,ResNet18 lightweight network was used to construct DL models for identifying the ultrasonogram category was normal or abnormal(with any manifestation of GA).Five-fold cross-validation method was adopted to evaluate the efficacy of the DL models constructed with 2,3,4 or 6 residual blocks,i.e.model 1,2,3 and 4,respectively,and the computational cost and the amount of parameters of each model were recorded.The efficacy of the models were verified using test set,and the best DL model was screened.Results The computational cost of model 1,2,3 and 4 was 7 558.27,2 963.73,4 012.33 and 6 093.39 M,respectively,while the amount of parameters was 4.61,4.91,4.91 and 5.28 M,respectively.Model 2 had the least computational cost with parameters only slightly more than model 1.In test set,no significant difference of accuracy nor the area under the curve was found among 4 models(all P>0.05).The sensitivity of model 2 was higher than that of model 3,while its specificity was lower only than that of model 3(both P<0.05),hence model 2 was the best DL model.Conclusion Improved ResNet18 lightweight DL models could be used for automatically detecting GA based on ultrasonogram of MTP1,among which model 2 was the best one.

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